- Goff's Free School -

Goff's Free School Mr Goff was born in Hereford, but moved to London where he made a fortune as a coal merchant. He left money in his will to found a number of free schools in Herefordshire and surrounding counties for the education of poor children.

The one in Tenbury Wells was built in 1819 at a cost of £150 and endowed with £50 a year. It was replaced by the present building in 1868 and continued in use as a school until 1914. Using the ‘Bell’ system the headmaster would teach five of the best pupils each of whom would then pass the knowledge on to five others until the whole class had received the instruction. Later, the school was divided into senior and junior classes. The rods for the curtain can still be seen on one of the beams.

The school was run on Baptist principles, which caused considerable friction with the Church of England. Chapel services were held in the building on Sundays until the present Baptist Church was built. Within living memory the building was used by Tenbury school for carpentry and cooking classes.

In 1977 it was renovated for use as a museum by Tenbury and District Museum Society.